Wearable Heartbeat and Breathing Waveform Continuous Monitoring System

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method are provided to collect and analyze heartbeat waveforms. In one novel aspect, the heartbeat waveforms are collected from wearable devices. In one embodiment, the wearable device collects heartbeat waveforms by attaching the device to the patient for a long period and sends the collected waveforms to a receiver through a wireless network. In another novel aspect, an application program is installed in a smart device to receive heartbeat waveforms from one or more wearable devices. The application program either relays the received waveform to a remote processing center or processes the data before sending. In another novel aspect, an analysis method compares received patient&#39;s current heartbeat waveform with historic data. In one embodiment, the historic data are stored in a cloud-based database. In another novel aspect, the remote processing center is an open platform data center, which takes in certified third party inputs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 120 from nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/705,226,entitled Wearable Heartbeat and Breathing Waveform Continuous MonitoringSystem,” filed on Dec. 6, 2019, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. 16/705,226, inturn, claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from nonprovisional U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/284,655, entitled “Wearable Heartbeat andBreathing Waveform Continuous Monitoring System,” filed on May 22, 2014,the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.Application Ser. No. 14/284,655, in turn claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119 from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/826,025 entitled “METHODAND APPARATUS OF COMPACT WEARABLE HEART BEAT WAVEFORM AND BREATHWAVEFORM CONTINUOUS MONITORING SYSTEM,” filed on May 22, 2013, thesubject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to mobile heartbeat andbreathing waveform continuous monitoring and, more particularly, devicesand system for an open platform continuously monitoring heartbeat andbreathing waveform obtained from remote wearable devices.

BACKGROUND

For the past decade, there are significant progresses in medicalresearch. The Human Genome Project had finished. For the first time inhistory, we have decoded over 20,000 human genes. The stem cellresearchers have already safely injected stem cells into patients withneurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries and they've seen thepotential to vastly improve lives. MRI and other medical imagingtechnologies continuously improved, more and more advanced electronicdevices, sensors, networking, data mining technologies are used inhospitals. Despite these great achievements, most of us still rely ononce or twice annual doctor visits to get our physicals. None of thesegreat technologies is used to monitor our day-to-day health status, notmention more sophisticated day to day health analysis and diseasedetection. Many people jokes that they know their cars better than theirbodies. In many ways, it is a true statement. There are over 100 sensorson a modern car. On the other hand, the sensor to monitor our vital lifeis close to zero.

Meanwhile the rapid advancement of mobile Internet and smart phone haschanged our daily life, and changed how the world operates in many ways.It also drives the semiconductor industry and related other industriesto make the microcontrollers, various sensors and wireless communicationchips very small with very low power consumption. Meanwhile, the pricesof these devices drop dramatically in the past few years, which makethem affordable to general public. However, how to take advantage ofthese latest technologies for medical use remains a challenge.

In the past, many body vital sensors have been developed. For example,in U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,420, Abreu et al. disclosed how to measure braintemperature by wearing a special glass that embedded with sensors. Butmost of these sensors are designed to be used in a clinic environment.The size is large and cumbersome. In many cases, professional help isneeded to put on these sensors, and large instruments are needed tocollect the outputs. Recently, efforts have been made to usemicrocontroller with analog to digital convertors to digitize thetraditional analog sensor outputs and transmit the results through wiredor wireless network to a data-collecting center. For example, in U.S.Pat. No. 8,323,188, Tran disclosed how to digitize the sensors input andtransmit the result to remote server so that medical professionals,user's relatives can monitor the health condition of the user. After thebooming of smart phone, new effort has been made to developdigital-watch kind of device, which can sense user's pulse, bloodpressure, and other vital health data, and send these data throughwireless network to a data-collecting center.

However, there are several drawbacks of the prior arts. Many of thesesensors, like ECG, need to put multiple probes on different parts of thebody. Some of them, like the ultrasonography, need to apply special gelson the body. In the clinic environment, with medical professional'sguidance, they are fine. But for normal user's day-to-day use, itbecomes inconvenient and sometime even not applicable. The next issue ishow to amount the sensors on the human body so that the user can do longterm monitoring without discomfort. It is preferable that the user canstill conduct normal daily business during the monitoring. For generalpublic day-to-day use, the sensors are not only affordable, but alsocheap enough that the user can replace them in a short period. There aremore challenges at the server side. Most of the prior arts andapplications only use the server to collect data, and let the medicalprofessionals to analyze the results and draw conclusions. Thisprocedure can only be applied to the general clinic application withonly hands full of patients. When there are millions of users start toupload their daily vital health data to the server, the process has tobe automated.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and method are provided to monitor heartbeat waveform andbreathing waveform continuously.

In one novel aspect, a wearable waveform-collecting device can beattached to a human body to collect heartbeat and/or breathing waveformscontinuously. The wearable waveform-collecting device transmits thecollected information to a smart device.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a digital movement sensor isused to detect chest skin's movement. The digital movement sensor can bea gyroscope, or an accelerometer.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a digital acousticsensor is used to collect acoustic signals from the user. The digitalacoustic sensor can be a microphone, a piezo sensor, or any other sounddetector with an analog-to-digital converter.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a series of acousticsensors are designed to receive sound from different direction toenhance to noise immunity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a miniature stethoscopehead can be employed to enhance the acoustic signal from the body. Inthe scenario of using a series of acoustic sensors, multiple miniaturestethoscope heads can be employed.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable gainsetting is provided in analog or digital means to provide the capabilityof trade-off the range and sensitivity according to different skincondition of different people.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an algorithm to usethe movement sensor data together with the acoustic sensor to enhancethe system's noise immunity and provide other body environmentinformation such as walking pace, loud background, and loose contactinduced false data.

In another embodiment of the present invention, two different wavelengthLEDs are used as the light sources for detecting blood oxygen level. TheLEDs can be turned on and off through wired or wireless network usingsmart phone, computers and other smart devices.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention is a compact batteryis used to allow long operation span with light weight.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a wirelesscommunication module is included to transfer data to remote processor touse its computing power. In addition, a read-out I/O, such as SD card,or micro SD card, is used to store the waveform locally if the remotehost is not available.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the waveformcollecting and transmission module can be associated with a smartportable device, such as smart phone, tablet, etc. It can be anauxiliary component that mounts on the case, and the smart device can beused to charge the battery of the waveform collecting and transmissionmodule.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a silicone sheet,like “ScarAway”, can be used to mount the waveform collecting andtransmission module onto the body. For matured female, a specialdesigned bra can be used to mount the device. For athletes and otherusers with very active movements, an elastic belt can be used to mountthe device.

In another novel aspect, a heartbeat application program in a smartdevice enables the smart device to receive waveform information from oneor more wave collecting-devices. The heartbeat application sendsheartbeat information to a service platform via network connections.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a smart phone, tablet, orother smart device is used to set up, to control and to charge thewaveform collecting and transmission module. It is also used to collectthe waveform data through wireless network; then transmit the waveformdata to remote data centers through wireless network for furtheranalysis and archive. The user can use the screen of the smart device toview the waveform to make sure the waveform collecting and transmissionmodule is mounted correctly. The user can use the screen to view theanalysis and characterization results, get advices and alarms from theremote data center. The user can put finger between the camera orphotodiode of the smart device and the LEDs on the waveform collectingand transmission module. The camera or photodiode of the smart devicecan be used to capture the light from the LEDs which penetrates theuser's finger. The captured images or light strengths can be used tocalculate the blood oxygen level of the user.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a notebook, desktopcomputer or dedicated local server can be used to collect the waveformdata from the waveform collecting and transmission module. It can beused to set up, control and charge the waveform collecting andtransmission module. The collected waveform data can be stored, archivedlocally, and can be uploaded to remote data centers through wired orwireless network. The user can use the screen of the notebook, thedesktop computer or the local server to view the analysis andcharacterization results, get advices and alarms from the remote datacenters.

In another novel aspect, a data processing center retrieves archivedhistoric waveform information of a current user and compares with thecurrent waveform information of the same patient. The data processingcenter generates a report using predefined algorithms based on thecurrent waveform information and the retrieved historic waveforminformation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, data centers are used tocollect the waveform, store and archive the waveform. Various dataprocessing algorithms are applied to the collected waveform tocharacterize the waveform. The data centers consist of frontend webservers, backend databases, data processing servers and high speednetwork to connect them together.

In another embodiment of the present invention, environment noise isfiltered out from the collected waveform. Certain sections of thecollected waveform can contain signals that are not valid human bodysignals, for example, the environment signals, very weak signals due tothe improper mounting of the collecting device, etc. Invalid sections ofwaveform are identified and stripped out from further analysis andcharacterization. For the valid waveform, data analysis algorithms areapplied to extract characterization parameters. These parameters areused to compare against user's historic parameters, against his or herpeer parameters and against various known disease parameters. Abnormalsections can be identified and recorded. The original waveform, theanalysis and characterization results are stored and archived into thedatabase. Based on analysis and characterization results, alarms orrecommendations can be given to the user through email, SMS, web orother communication channels per user's preference. The user can alwayslogin to the website to browse through the current waveform, analysisand characterization results, and historic records.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, based on user's CT,MRI image, blood tests, blood pressure, and other measurements, acomputational cardiology model can be built and stored at the datacenters. The data center servers can use this model to predict theuser's heart waveform. This waveform can be used to compare with thewaveform collected from the user. The servers will adjust the model'sparameters so that the computed waveform will match the collectedwaveform. The servers will inform the user about adjustment, and tellthe user if the adjustment is towards more health direction or anotherway around. After several rounds of adjustments, if the server stillcannot successfully predict the waveform, the server will recommend theuser to do another round of examinations so that the new examinationresults can be used to re-calibrate the model.

In another novel aspect, an open platform is used to process the data.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the user can manage his orher data privacy through the web site. The user can give permission tohis or her doctors so that the doctors can use the waveform and analysisand characterization results as reference for further diagnoses. Theuser can determine if the data can be released to medical researchinstitutes or professionals for research use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, after certificationprocess, the medical researchers, data process and data mining expertisewith proper credential can utilize the waveforms with users' permissionto develop various algorithms to diagnose diseases, give early alarms,do data mining to explore under what kind of life-styles or geneticpatterns can lead to diseases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components,illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a continuous heartbeat and breathingwaveform monitoring system in accordance to embodiments of the currentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary circuit block diagram of a waveform collectingand transmission module in accordance to embodiments of the currentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary installation of the acoustic-to-electricsensors and LEDs on a waveform collecting and transmission module.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary installation of the acoustic-to-electricsensors and LEDs on the waveform collecting and transmission module.

FIG. 5 illustrates a a waveform collecting and transmission moduledirectly mounted on a special designed smart phone.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of measuring the blood oxygen level usinga smart device 600 and a waveform collecting and transmission module.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network 700 with a remote data center in accordancewith embodiments of the current invention.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of waveform processing in accordance withembodiments of the current invention.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of generating a computational cardiologymodel for a user and predicting the user's heartbeat waveform based onthe model.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the third party application andverification process in accordance with embodiments of the currentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart analyzing received heartbeat waveform inputsbased on past heartbeat waveform inputs and identifying changes inaccordance with embodiments of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Based on technologies achievements and their broad acceptance, it isfeasible to develop a set of sensors to monitor our daily vital healthstatus, transfer these data through wired or wireless Internet to theCloud storage. These data are archived and analyzed against the user'sprevious data and against various disease patterns. Health advices canbe given as the result of the analysis. Furthermore, the archived datacan be used by medical professionals to diagnose diseases. Sophisticateddata mining can be performed on the vast daily health data from millionsof people. It is very likely to lead to new medical discoveries.

The present invention provides a method, an apparatus, a computerprogram and a system that provides a series of compact digital sensorsthat is wearable by patching. The measured waveform is transferred toremote processor in real time or off-line by wireless link or readoutI/O devices. The continuously monitoring waveform for a long time span,more than several hours, helps to disclose any early abnormalities. Thecontinuously monitored waveform is characterized and compared with adatabase of large size samples, which include the user's previouswaveforms and characterizations and various known disease waveforms andtheir characterizations. The user can browse the current and historicwaveforms and characterizations through smart phones, smart watch,computers and other browsing devices. The health alarms orrecommendations to the user can be drawn from the characterizations. Theuser can use them as reference and pursue further medical help. Thewaveforms and characterizations are automatically archived. With theuser's permission, these waveforms and characterizations can be releasedto medical professionals or other institutes for further analysis orreference. The medical researchers, data processing and data miningexpertise can utilize the large amount of waveforms andcharacterizations to do in depth research and exploration. Theirresearch can lead to more advanced method for waveform analysis andcharacterization, which can apply to the general users. The users canchoose what kind of advanced analysis they want to apply. Certaincharges can be associated with the advanced analysis so that theresearchers and expertise can be awarded by their discoveries.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a continuous heartbeat and breathingwaveform monitoring system 100 in accordance to embodiments of thecurrent invention. System 100 consists of a waveform collecting andtransmission module 101, a local wireless network 102, smart terminalsand local storage 105, 110, 115, an Internet 120, remote data centers130, terminals for medical institute and professional 140, and thirdparty data mining and analysis group 150.

Waveform collecting and transmission module 101, also referred as frontend module, patches on the chest of the user using silicone gel kind ofpatch, such as “ScarAway”, or other similar patches. It usesacoustic-to-electric sensors such as microphone or piezo sensors behindthe shell to detect the acoustic signal. It uses a digital movementsensor, such as gyroscope or accelerometer, to detect skin's movement,which reflects the breath. Analog-to-digital convertors are employed totransfer the waveforms into digital format. The digitized waveforms canbe stored into the module's local storage, such as miro-SD card.Waveform collecting and transmission module 101 can store the measuredwaveforms for a period. In one embodiment, upon detecting availablelocal wireless access, waveform collecting and transmission module 101automatically upload the stored waveforms. In another embodiment,Waveform collecting and transmission module 101 may periodically lookingfor wireless access to upload the stored waveforms. In yet anotherembodiment, the measured waveform maybe uploaded directly withoutstoring. Waveform collecting and transmission module 101 can communicatewith smart device 105, such as smart phone, tablet, smart watch or otherdevices, through local wireless network 102, such as Bluetooth or Wifi.It can communicate with laptop or desktop computer 110 through wirelessnetwork 102 or wired connection such as USB. It can also communicatewith a dedicated local server 115 through wireless network or wiredconnection. The smart device, computer or local server can be used toset up and control the module, monitor the waveform in real time, browsethe stored waveforms, transfer the stored the waveforms to their localstorages, and relay the transmission through a wired or wirelessnetworks 120 to a remote data centers 130. The smart device, computer orthe local server can be used to receive the analysis report, alarm, andadvices from the remote data centers for user to review.

Remote data centers 130 collect waveforms from many waveform collectingand transmission modules. These waveforms are archived and stored inremote data centers 130. Remote data centers 130 automatically analyzeand characterize the collected waveforms. Remote data centers 130compare characterization results the corresponding patient's short termhistoric waveform which collected within a quarter and long termhistoric waveforms which collected from half year ago, a year ago and soon. Remote data centers 130 also store one or more disease patterns.These disease patterns can be preconfigured or dynamically updated.Remote data center 130 compares each corresponding patient's resultsvarious disease patterns. Remote data center 130 can choose one moredisease patterns for comparison based on system input or userinstructions.

A computational cardiology model can be employed to predict the user'swaveform. The difference between the real waveform and predictedwaveform are examined automatically by remote data centers 130 so thatthe model can be adjusted to match the real waveform. Remote datacenters 130 adjusts the cardiology model either towards healthydirection or unhealthy direction based on predefined algorithms. Thepredefined algorithms can be preconfigured or dynamically updated.Reports are automatically generated and sent to an authorized user. Theauthorized user, such as the patient or physicians, can also login thewebsite of remote data centers 130 to view the report and historic data.

In one embodiment of the current invention, with the authorized user'spermission, the waveforms and analysis results can be retrieved andreviewed by medical institute or professionals 140. Medical institute orprofessionals 140 can use the retrieved information for diseasediagnosis or medical research usage. The medial researchers, dataprocessing expertise from third party with permission can utilize thewaveforms granted by the users to do further analysis. In oneembodiment, remote data centers 130 uses the research results as thirdparty analysis methods. The user can subscribe certain third partyanalysis methods. Certain charges can be applied to the user for usingthe third party analysis methods. System 100 can also be used to monitorother body waveforms in similar manners. For example, similar system canbe used to monitor the baby heartbeat for pregnant women. In suchsystem, a Waveform collecting and transmission module can be attached tothe abdominal area of the pregnant woman and collects baby's heartbeatfor further process and analysis.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary circuit block diagram of a waveform collectingand transmission module in accordance to embodiments of the currentinvention. The electronic circuit of the waveform collecting andtransmission module has a battery unit 255, which provides sufficientpower to last overnight measurement. Battery unit 255 supplies power toall the functional blocks in FIG. 2 . A micro-processor 235 is employedto monitor the voltage level of the battery, calculate the battery'senergy status and avoid system brown out. An acoustic-to-electricsensors 200 collects acoustic signals and converts it to electricsignals. Acoustic-to-electric 200 can be a simple microphone or a fewmicrophones or piezo sensors to make up an array to have better noiseimmunity by obtaining better background measurement and better directivemeasurement. The sound from the body is measured by the sensor and theoutput of the sensor is electrical signal. The output electrical signalis connected to a noise cancellation and gain control circuit 205, whichis employed to cancel out environment noise, and enhance the body signallevel. Micro-processor 235 is used to control this circuit. After noisecancellation and signal enhancement, the electric signal is connected toanalog to digital converter (ADC) 210 to digitize. The result is sent tomicroprocessor 235. A movement sensor 215 measures the body moment.Movement sensor 215 can be a gyroscope or an accelerometer. It measuresthe movement of the skin on the chest caused by the heartbeat. Movementsensor 215 measures the movement and outputs electrical signal, which isconnected to ADC 220. The digitized result from ADC 210 is collected bymicro-processor 235. The data collected from movement sensor 215 canalso tell the subject's other movement such as walk, jog, and otherposture movements to help data analysis.

LEDs 225 with different wavelengths in conjunction with smart devicecamera or photodiode are used to measure the blood oxygen level. In oneembodiment, two LEDs are used. Micro-processor 235 controls LED drivercircuits 230 to turn on/off the LEDs. In one embodiment, micro-processor235 controls LED driver circuits 230 through its I/O pins. A user canuse a smart device with camera or photodiode 260 to send commands tomicroprocessor 235 through wireless connection 265 to turn on/off theLEDs. For example, during a blood oxygen level measurement, smart device260 can send predefined control signals to micro-processor 235 throughwireless connection 265. Micro-processor 235 upon receiving the controlsignal from smart device 260, controls LEDs 225 to turn on or off. Thecamera or photodiode on the smart device 260 can be used to detect thelights from the LEDs. Device 260 is calibrated with the strength ofreceived LED light. In one embodiment, smart device 260 measures theoxygen level of the blood by detecting the light strength emitted fromLEDs 225 based on proper calibration. Meanwhile, LEDs 225 with visiblewavelength can be used as status indicator.

Micro-processor 235 connects to non-volatile storage 240, such micro-SD.The digitized waveforms can be stored into the non-volatile storage withtime stamp so it can be retrieved by smart device 105, computer 110 orlocal server 115, and further sent to remote data centers 130.Microprocessor 235 connects to a wireless communication module 245 sothat it can communicate with smart device 105, computer 110 or localserver 115 through local wireless network, such as Bluetooth, Wifi, etal. Microprocessor 235 also connects to a host interface module withbattery charge circuit 250 so that it can communicate with host device,such as smart device 105, computer 110 or local server 115 through wiredcable, for example USB. It also uses this cable to charge the internalbattery 255.

In one embodiment, micro-processor 235 processes the measured data andanalyzes them. For example, an algorithm can be employed by themicroprocessor 235 to use the movement sensor data together with theacoustic sensor to enhance the system's noise immunity and provide otherbody environment information such as walking pace, loud background, andloose contact, which induces false data.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary installation of the acoustic-to-electricsensors and LEDs on a waveform collecting and transmission module 300.In one exemplary configuration, one acoustic-to-electric (ATE) sensor301 is installed at the front of the waveform collecting andtransmission module. The front side is the side of module 300 that doesnot touch the body of the user. ATE sensor 301 detects the environmentbackground. A micro-acoustic chamber 315 is used to enhance the bodyacoustic signals. Micro-acoustic chamber 315 is mounted on the back ofwaveform collecting and transmission module 300. An acoustic-to-electricsensor 310 is mounted on top of a micro-acoustic chamber 315. In oneexemplary installation, four other micro-acoustic chambers andacoustic-to-electric sensors 325 are mounted on the back of the waveformcollecting and transmission module 300. The number ofacoustic-to-electric sensors in the device is determined by thesensitivity of sensor, the application environment, and the target priceof the device. Having multiple acoustic-to-electric sensors enhances thesignal strength. These sensors can be installed in a sunflower shape,with one in the center and the rest are around the center. The number ofsensors and its arrangement can vary to fit different requirements. Theconsiderations and/or criteria for the number of sensors include costconsideration, and the environment of the intended use. For example, fora low cost device, whose usage is focused on quiet environment, singleacoustic-to-electric sensor mounted on the back of the device withoutacoustic chamber can be used. Two LEDs 305 with different wavelengthsare mounted at the front of the waveform collecting and transmissionmodule 300. The different absorbing rate of the two wavelengths candetermine the blood oxygen level of the user. LEDs 305 are used inconjunction with smart device camera or photodiode to form a simplepulse oximetry to measure the blood oxygen level. LEDs 305 with visiblewavelength are also used as a status indicator.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary installation of the acoustic-to-electricsensors and LEDs on the waveform collecting and transmission module 400.In this installation, one acoustic-to-electric sensor 401 is installedat the front of the waveform collecting and transmission module. It isused to detect the environment background. A large acoustic chamber 410is used to enhance the body acoustic signals. It is mounted on the backof the waveform collecting and transmission module 400. Multipleacoustic-to-electric sensors 415 are mounted on top of large acousticchamber 410. In this installation, five acoustic-to-electric sensors 415are mounted on the back of the waveform collecting and transmissionmodule 400. Two LEDs 405 with different wavelengths are mounted at thefront of the waveform collecting and transmission module. LEDs 405 areused in conjunction with smart device camera or photodiode to measureblood oxygen level. LEDs 405 with visible wavelength can also be used asa status indicator.

The waveform collecting and transmission module can be mounted on theuser's body for more than 48 hours or longer. Unlike traditionalclinical measurements that only collect for a few minutes, the wearableheartbeat device collects measurements for a much longer period.Therefore, it requires the module to be small and light-weighted. Forexample, in one embodiment the module weighs no more than couple ofounces, and having a diameter around one inch and as thin as possible.To reduce the height of the device, instead of using the traditionalPCB, thin and flexible PCB is used. Another important issue needs to beresolved is how to mount the device on human body for a long timewithout discomfort. In one embodiment, the silicone gel patch, such as“ScarAway”, can be used to help to mount the device. For mature femaleuser, a special bra can be used to mount the device. An elastic belt canbe used to mount the device during exercises. Since the waveformcollecting and transmission module is very thin and lightweight, it canbe put in a wallet or attached on the protection case of the smart phoneor other smart device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a a waveform collecting and transmission moduledirectly mounted on a special designed smart phone. 500 is the smartphone camera, 505 is the flashlight of the smart phone. A waveformcollecting and transmission module 510 is mounted at the bottom of thesmart phone. The module is automatically charged using the smart phonebattery when it is mounted on the smart phone.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of measuring the blood oxygen level usinga smart device 600 and a waveform collecting and transmission module.Smart device 600 has a camera or photodiode 605. The waveform collectingand transmission module has LEDs 615. In one sample usage, a user putshis/her finger between smart device's camera 605 and LEDs 615 of thewaveform collecting and transmission module 610. Smart device 600 cansend command through local wireless network, such as Bluetooth, towaveform collecting and transmission module 610 to turn on one LED withone wavelength then turn on the other LED 620 with different wavelength.Smart device 600 uses its camera to capture two images from the two LEDsin waveform collecting and transmission module 610, respectively. Smartdevice 600 takes a first image with a first LED on in module 610. Smartdevice 600 then takes a second image with a second LED on in module 610.Smart device 600 can also use its photodiode to detect the lightstrength of the two LEDs from waveform collecting and transmissionmodule 610. By comparing these two images or the signals strength thatdetected by the photodiode, smart device 600 can get the blood oxygenlevel of the user based on predefined algorithm. In order to get theaccurate measurement, a calibration process is needed. A neutral media,such as transparent glass or plastic block with the thickness closed tohuman finger 625 is inserted 630 between the smart device and LEDs;Smart device 600 takes the measurements with LEDs 615 turned on. Smartdevice 600 collects such measurements as a baseline for the calibration.It is understood by one of ordinary skills in the art that othercalibration methods can also be used.

In one embodiment, a executable program can be installed on the smartdevice, the computer or the dedicated embedded system to control thewaveform collecting and transmission module. The executable program canalso display waveform in real time. The executable programs can alsoretrieve the stored waveform for display. The waveform can be stored inthe non-volatile storage of the smart device or the heartbeat collectingand transmission module. The executable program can store and transmitthe stored waveform from the waveform collecting and transmission moduleto the remote data center. This process can be fully automatic or can bemanually controlled by the user. It can also receive and displayanalysis reports, historic waveform archives, and reports on a remotedata center. In some embodiments, the executable program accepts userinputs and relays questions, algorithms requests and acceptablefinancial awards of the services to the remote data center or thirdparty medical professionals, data analysis and data mining expertise.

In accordance to embodiments of the current invention, privacymanagement is enabled. A user can use the smart device, the computer ora dedicated embedded system to manage privacy. The smart device or otherdevices receives user inputs, determine whether to release his/herpersonal information based on predefined algorithm. The smart device orother devices so configured may also determine whether to releasewaveform, analysis reports to medical professional as diagnosisreference. Similarly the smart device or other devices may determine ifreleasing his/her personal information, waveform, analysis reports tothird party for analysis, research, and data mining usage.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network 700 with a remote data center in accordancewith embodiments of the current invention. Network 700 consists of webserver clusters 705, database clusters 720, and back end server clusters715. These clusters are interconnected by a high-speed network 710.Smart device 105, computer 110 or local server 115 can connect to webserver clusters 705 through an Internet 701 and transmit the waveformsdata into the database clusters 720 of the remote data center. Back endserver clusters 715 will get the waveforms from database clusters 720.Database clusters 720 stores achieved waveform information of patients,processes the information, and stores the process results includingreport into database clusters 720. Database clusters 720 may havemultiple specific databases, such as computational cardiology modedatabase 721, patient archived waveform database 722, and diseasepattern database 723. The user can use the smart device 105, computer110 or local sever 115 to view the report, browse the analysis results,manage the account and archives, subscribe third party analysisalgorithms. The web server clusters 705 take the roles as mediators tomonitor the active user number, distribute the storage workload andcomputational workload, and make sure load balancing between servers.FIG. 7 only demonstrates one data center, as the user base growth,multiple data centers will be employed.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of waveform processing in accordance withembodiments of the current invention. The remote data center receiveswaveform 800 and stores them into a database such as database 720.Generally speaking, the body waveform is weak signal comparing toenvironment background, such as loud music, machine operation noise,etc. It is very likely that certain parts of received waveform containoverwhelming environmental background. In another scenario, certainparts of the received waveform may contain very weak signal or invalidsignal due to improper mounting of the collecting device. The next stageof the process is to identify the invalid sections of the receivedwaveform 805. The later processes will skip these sections. For thevalid sections of the received waveform, noise filter 810 is employed tofilter out body noise and environmental noise. At next stage, waveformcharacterization 815 is performed to extract characterizationparameters. For the heartbeat waveform, the heartbeat rate iscalculated, the heartbeat intervals are measured, irregular heartbeatintervals will be identified, and abnormal heartbeat waveform sectionsare also identified and marked for further analysis. These preliminarycharacterization results will be stored into the database.

The movement sensors waveform is used to determine the status of thebody. For example, the server will know if the user is in a calm status,or is under active movement or exercises based on the movement sensorswaveform. Based on the determined status of the body, the server canchoose proper characterization algorithms, and proper data set tocompare against in the later analysis phase. The characterizationresults will be used to compare with user's historic data 820. Thedifferences are analyzed to see if the changes are toward healthdirection or unhealthy direction. The analysis results and conclusionwill be stored into a database such as database 720. Further, theabnormal sections of the waveform are compared against various diseasepatterns to find matches or identify similarities 825. The analysisresults will be stored into a database such as database 720.

Computational cardiology model of the user can be used to predict thewaveform. The valid sections of received waveform will compare againstpredicted waveform. If there are mismatches, a end server, such as backend server 715, will adjust the parameters to try to match the receivedwaveform. These adjustments are analyzed to conclude if they are towardhealthy direction or unhealthy direction. If the back end server failedadjustments, failed reasons are reported. The matching details,adjustments, conclusions, failure reports can be stored into a database,such as database 720. The user can pre-select third party analysisalgorithms 835. According to user's selections, the back end server willapply the pre-selected third party algorithms to the valid sections ofthe received waveform 840. The analysis results and reports can bestored into the database. If the third party's analysis algorithms arenot free, the user will be charged for the service 840, and the chargedetail will be recorded into the database. In the end, the back endserver will summarize all the analysis results, reports from differentstages and generate a general report 845. This report will be storedinto the database. When the report is ready, user will be informedthrough a web server, such as web server 705 by email, SMS, or othermethods. The user can also login the web server to view the report andanalysis details.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of generating a computational cardiologymodel for a user and predicting the user's heartbeat waveform based onthe model. Modern medical research has discovered that human heartfunctions more like a mechanic device which periodically pumps bloodinto blood vessels then relaxes. One proof is that human can survivemany months by using an artificial heart which is a man-made mechanicdevice. In order to obtain the computational cardiology model, the usercan take CT and MRI images at step 905 during heart pumping, relaxationand in-between phases. The CT and MRI images inputs are analyzed basedon the principle of the cardiology model. A set of cardiology modelparameters are derived from CT and MRI images. The detailed structuresof user's heart and blood vessels can be obtained. The dynamic changesduring heart pumping, relaxation and in-between movements can be used todetermine the elastic resistance of the heart and blood vessels. Bloodtest and other medical examinations can help to determine the bloodviscosity. More cardiology model parameters can be derived from theblood test and other medical examinations. Based on these cardiologymodel parameters, a computational cardiology model can be built for theuser at step 910. If the user already has a model, this process can beused to calibrate the previous model. At step 915, the user's heartbeatand/or heart sound waveform is collected. Step 920 determines if thecomputed waveform of the user and the waveform collected from the usermatches. If step 920 determines a mismatch, at step 925, the parametersof the model is adjusted based on the difference and the waveform isre-calculated until they match. However, after significant adjustments,if the calculated waveform still fails to match the collected waveform,this result is recorded into the database at step 930. Step 930 mayadditionally inform the user of the failure. If the calculated waveformdoes match the collected waveform, the adjustments is summarized at step935. Step 935 also determines if the adjustments are toward healthdirection or unhealthy direction. All these are stored into thedatabase. When the report is ready, user will be informed through theweb server, such as web server 705 by email, SMS, or other methods. Theuser can also login the web server to view the report and analysisdetails.

In one embodiment of the present invention an open platform is used as aremote server. The open platform remote data server allows third partyto utilize the collected waveform to do analysis and data mining. Thealgorithms developed by the third party can be utilized by the remoteserver. Meanwhile, charging model can be built so that the third partcan be financially benefited from its contribution. The serviceprovider, individual user, or user group can post specific requests forthe third party. The charge can be per analysis charge, or one timecharge to fulfill certain requests.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the third party application andverification process in accordance with embodiments of the currentinvention. The first step of the process is to submit the request withcredentials 1005. The credentials include diploma, publications, patentsand awards. A review committee will review the request and credentialsat step 1010 and give recommendation. If the third party request isgranted, the third party needs to sign a set of legal documents 1015,such as non-disclosure agreement, non-competitive agreement, chargeagreement, etc. After legal process, the third party will receive testdataset 1020. The dataset can be from the service provider, individualuser or user group. Based on the test dataset, the third party can startalgorithm development and test the algorithm using the test dataset1025. Then the third party can submit the algorithms and test result1030. A committee including technical expertise, service provider,individual user or user group will review and verify the algorithms. Ifthe algorithms fail during review and verification, the committee willinform the third party the failed reasons so that the third party canimprove its work 1060. If the algorithms pass the review andverification, they will be applied to real service for waveformanalysis, characterization, or data mining 1045. Further review andverification will be conducted 1050. If the third party algorithms pass,they will be added into third party libraries for user to choose 1055.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart analyzing received heartbeat waveform inputsbased on past heartbeat waveform inputs and identifying changes inaccordance with embodiments of the current invention. Step 1101 obtainsone or more heartbeat waveform inputs, wherein the current waveforminputs is associated with a patient. Step 1102 retrieves one or moresets of past heartbeat waveform inputs, wherein the one or more sets ofpast heartbeat waveform inputs are associated with the said patient.Step 1103 identifies changes associated with the said patient bycomparing the current set of heartbeat waveform with the one or moresets of past heartbeat waveform based on predefined comparisonalgorithms. Step 1104 generates a patient report based on the identifiedchanges associated with the said patient based comparison reportalgorithms. Step 1105 identifies disease similarities by comparing thecurrent set of heartbeat waveform with one or more preconfigured diseasepatterns. Step 1106 generates a patient report based on the identifiedsimilarities associated with the said patient based similarity reportalgorithms.

Although the present invention has been described in connection withcertain specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, various modifications,adaptations, and combinations of various features of the describedembodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a wearable sizecontainer, wherein the container has an inner chamber and an outersurface, wherein the container can be attached to a body; a series ofacoustic sensors arranged inside the wearable size container to receivesound from different directions; and an acoustic waveform collector thatcollects and generates acoustic waveform from the series of acousticsensors; and a waveform transmitter that transmits the acousticwaveform.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic waveform istransmitted via a wireless connection.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the acoustic waveform collector further applies filter to thevalid signal sections to filter out body noise and environmental noise.4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic waveform collectorfurther obtains one or more movement waveform inputs, wherein each ofthe one or more movement waveform inputs associates with a correspondingcurrent heartbeat waveform inputs, and wherein each movement waveforminputs indicates a movement status of the user.